Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two budgies, one is an adult (Shasta). Shasta was a found budgie. The second I got just a week ago (Kermit). I'm not sure how old Kermit is, the people at the pet store didn't know. I think by his size he must be a teenager? (however old that would be). He has lost the stripes on his head and his cere is blue, and he is 2/3 the size of my other bird. Two questions.

Both budgies are males because I didn't want eggs and I read that it's okay to have males together. Shasta LOVES Kermit, gives him kisses and preens him. Kermit likes Shasta, he sits next to him and calls when they are apart. Kermit does not reciprocate Shasta's kissing and preening - although he doesn't seem to mind it. Will that change - will Kermit also preen Shasta back?

Second, Shasta sings, chitters, chirps, trills, etc etc. Kermit only does one sound - a kind of squawky loud chirp. Will he learn more sounds?

thank you for your advice

More than likely the preening each other will change. Some birds do seem to be more active with this than others and Shasta may just like preening better than Kermit does. Kermit is also still trying to settle in and may not feel comfortable enough yet. Also one of the birds even if they get along well will be the aggressor this one is usually the one that is either preening or demanding preening from the other bird. Since Shasta was there first this would probably be him although it can change later on.

As far as the sounds, they do have the potential to learn many different chirps, whistles and words. Some seem to learn more and quicker than others, some do seem to like doing an annoying little chirp and no other sounds but again that will probably change as Kermit settles in.

Just watch to make sure that Shasta is not overpreening Kermit and either plucking feathers or pecking at him which can happen if they are feeling a bit territorial with a new addition.

Lastly males will usually get along well, in most cases a lot better than multiple females will but sometimes you get the antisocial ones that will not get along and will fight. As long as yours are not showing real signs of fighting they should be fine together.